| Video distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution service -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Video distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution serviceVideo distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution service description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070186254, Video distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution service. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-028969, filed on Feb. 6, 2006; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention relates to a video distribution system and a method of managing a receiving terminal of video distribution service. [0004]2. Description of the Related Art [0005]Wide-spreading use of broadband is accompanied by an increasing popularity in Video on Demand (VOD) service, which is a video distribution service that realizes real-time distribution of video content such as a movie in response to a request from a user over an internet network that operates based on Internet Protocol (IP) (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Opens Nos. H07-107066 and H10-336625). [0006]In recent years, some commercially available television terminals come to be equipped with a VOD function to allow users to enjoy the VOD services. On the other hand, some electronic appliances other than the television terminals are also developed mainly for allowing the user to enjoy audio and video contents provided through analog broadcasting, digital terrestrial broadcasting or the like. One of such appliances is a high-resolution Audio Video Personal Computer (AV-PC). Meanwhile, in Japan, the analog broadcasting is scheduled to be ceased in the year 2011. A ministry considers introducing an IP retransmission of the contents transmitted via digital terrestrial broadcasting,for regions where the reception of digital terrestrial broadcasting is difficult. Empirical experiments are also started with television terminals which can receive digital terrestrial broadcasting via IP connection. [0007]In VOD services, a receiver (user) receives distributed video content by a television (TV) terminal or an AV-PC, and a provider that distributes video content identifies the receiver (user) based on his/her personal information. When the personal information of the user is not available, the provider cannot identify the user. Though each provider manages personal information of the users, such information is not shared among video distributors (providers). On the other hand, the user may view the video contents distributed from plural providers and has a viewing history at each provider. The viewing history of the user at respective providers, however, cannot be combined together since the personal information managed by one provider is not available to outsiders. [0008]The provider may use the bank account number of the user as Identification data (ID) for charging (charging ID). Then, the user's viewing histories at plural video distributing providers might be collectively utilized based on the charging ID. When the viewing histories are gathered, however, the charging ID is attached thereto for the identification. The charging ID here is a meaningful character string, i.e., a bank account number and cannot be made open to outsiders. [0009]Further, when the user buys and uses a new receiving terminal to access the video distributing provider, the user is recognized as a different user at the provider side. Then, the user's viewing history from a previous receiving terminal cannot be utilized integrally. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010]According to one aspect of the present invention, a video distribution system includes plural receiving terminals, a video distribution apparatus, and a common ID issuing and managing apparatus. Each of the plural receiving terminals has a terminal ID, makes a distribution request for video data, and receives the video data distributed in response to the distribution request. The video distribution apparatus distributes video data to the receiving terminal according to the distribution request. The common ID issuing and managing apparatus includes a common ID issuing unit, a common ID storing unit, and a terminal authenticating unit. The common ID issuing unit issues a common ID and integrates the terminal IDs of the plural receiving terminals by the common ID so that the terminal IDs are treated as a same ID in the common ID issuing & managing apparatus. The common ID storing unit stores the common ID and the plural terminal IDs in association with each other. The terminal authenticating unit that authenticates whether the common ID is in the common ID storing unit or not, the common ID being associated with the terminal ID of the receiving terminal to which the video data are to be distributed for the distribution request. [0011]According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of managing a receiving terminal of a video distribution service, includes issuing a common ID from a common ID issuing & managing apparatus for a terminal ID of a receiving terminal to which a video distribution apparatus distributes video data according to a distribution request, the common ID serving for allowing the video distribution apparatus to treat the terminal IDs associated with the common ID as same; and storing and managing the common ID in association with the terminal ID. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a configuration of a VOD system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a functional structure of the VOD system; [0014]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an example of video display; [0015]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an internal configuration of a program/advertisement recommending unit; [0016]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a modified example of the internal configuration of the program/advertisement recommending unit; [0017]FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of processing in the VOD system according to the first embodiment; [0018]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of data on terminal ID and common ID stored in a common ID managing & storing unit; [0019]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an example of data on subscription information stored by a terminal authenticating unit and a charge managing unit; [0020]FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an example of display of a common TOP screen; Continue reading about Video distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution service... Full patent description for Video distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution service Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Video distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution service patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Video distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution service or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Video processing methods and systems for portable electronic devices lacking native video support Next Patent Application: Methods and apparatus for identifying viewing information associated with a digital media device Industry Class: Interactive video distribution systems ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Video distribution system and method of managing receiving terminal of video distribution service patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14694 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
